Are there certain characteristics that make you successful with your franchise?
When it comes to franchising in the remodeling industry, there may not be one perfect mold. However, there are consistent patterns. Understanding these traits can help you determine whether franchise ownership in remodeling aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Within the DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen Franchise system, the most successful franchise owners share key traits that allow them to thrive in both business ownership and remodeling. Success is less about prior construction experience and more about mindset, leadership, and a willingness to grow within a proven franchise system.
At DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen Franchise, we often see seven key components of success in owners who thrive within the franchise system.
Drive
Business ownership is an ongoing journey. Striving for excellence is one of the strongest attitudes a franchise owner can have. Someone who is willing to learn, put in the work, and follow the systems and processes has a much higher chance of being successful.
There will always be challenges in business ownership, but in franchising, and with DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, you are never alone in navigating these challenges. Strong owners stay steady under pressure, are motivated, and rely on proven systems and peer insight for stability.
Heart
Successful franchise owners develop people, not just projects.
In the remodeling industry, reputation matters. Many homeowners have already had bad experiences or have heard from others of bad experiences with remodeling projects – contractors who don’t communicate, unclear timelines, broken commitments, etc. Successful remodeling franchisees value and exhibit trust, integrity, and reliability to stand out from the competition. When the business is built around serving families and communities with care and professionalism, attitudes shift and teams can focus on the positive impact they themselves have helped to create.
With DreamMaker, creating a strong team means building one where each member truly believes in the Code of Values and the mission of Enhancing Lives and Improving Homes. When franchise owners focus on serving others, treating everyone with respect and integrity, and making a difference in the lives they touch, great things happen!
Focus
Understanding numbers is critical in remodeling, and being financially in-tune and operationally grounded creates an environment where owners can know what is working, what needs improvement, and how to capitalize on their strengths.
Franchise business ownership provides structured systems in marketing, sales, production, and financial management. Especially in the remodeling industry (where margins, timelines, and client expectations must be carefully managed), following a proven system is critical.
Coachability
Franchise owners who are the most successful are comfortable with growth and continuing education in business practices, remodeling practices, and leadership. Having a passion for excellence and being receptive to constructive feedback from their franchise coach is one of the strongest attitudes a franchise owner can have.
Strong franchisees are lifelong learners. As Shawn Colvin, owner of DreamMaker of Reno, says:
“The number on quality that a franchisee should have is the willingness to let go of all your previous ways of doing things and really trust the systems and processes. These help you be successful in margins and quality of life, so being willing to listen and learn (while letting go of your old habits) is crucial.”
Another owner, Brad Jacobs from Wilmington, shares:
“I started from having zero construction or remodeling background. I never could have started a remodeling business without having DreamMaker – I wouldn’t have known where to begin.”
Their experiences reflect a common theme in franchise remodeling. Coachability and a desire to learn often matter more than technical background.
Willingness to Follow Systems
One of the greatest advantages of franchise ownership is the ability to operate within a proven system.
When you buy into a franchise system, you have a framework ready to go for your business journey. Saving time and money by not reinventing the wheel is exactly why many entrepreneurs choose a franchise, especially in remodeling. Someone who thinks efficiently, has clear goals, and wants more freedom in their daily work can benefit from a remodeling franchise’s proven systems and processes.
Eric Anderson, owner of DreamMaker of East Georgia, explains:
“We could spend the next 20-30 years perfecting systems to help us run efficiently and lose all the profits by making mistakes along the way – or, we could go ahead and purchase a system that we could begin implementing right away. We just realized it made more sense to not reinvent the wheel.”
Joe Bender, owner of DreamMaker of Beaverton, shares his perspective after converting his business to a DreamMaker Franchise:
“When I first saw the margins DreamMaker was charging coming out of my current construction company, I thought there was no way we could make any money. No one would want to buy. Well… it worked just like they said it would.”
DreamMaker’s franchise systems and processes are not a myth. They are a concrete plan for your remodeling business at every stage.
Values
A successful franchise owner can differentiate themselves from the competition, and at DreamMaker, loving our neighbor as ourselves is a cornerstone of our culture. This is reflected in our Code of Values. Following is an example of one of our Values and the verse that it is based on:
“We believe in the untapped potential of every human being. Every person we help achieve their potential fulfills our mission.”
Based off Proverbs 22:11 (NIV): “One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”
A culture of treating others with respect and integrity influences leadership, teams, and client relationships, especially in the remodeling industry.
Julie Chappell, DreamMaker of Greater Rockwall, puts it best:
“Everyone at DreamMaker lives the values. That’s what makes the difference.”
DreamMaker’s franchise network continues to demonstrate these values not just by saying them, but by living them day-to-day across the network.
Support at Home
Starting a new business can put a lot of pressure on not only you, but your loved ones as well. Launching a franchise can often reshape household finances, schedules, and emotional capacity. A supportive spouse and family can provide the “safe harbor” necessary to navigate these entrepreneurial pressures, and we believe that having family support is critical to franchise ownership success.
It’s also important to remember: with DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen, you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself.
Is There a Perfect Franchise Owner?
There is not one perfect mold for a successful franchise owner. However, history shows that owners who are coachable, collaborative, driven, and share similar values tend to be the most successful within the DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen Franchise system.
If you are exploring franchise ownership, and are interested in remodeling, consider this:
- Would these values benefit you?
- Do these characteristics align with how you want to lead and grow in your future endeavors?
DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen thrives with owners who value integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship while building strong businesses.
If you answered yes to these questions, learn more the DreamMaker experience!